I went to the lake this afternoon and as I was unstrapping the motor I noticed that the prop didn't spin freely. A quick inspection revealed that the prop was rubbing against the housing and I could see cracks in the webbing behind the prop.

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After I got home and took the prop off the adjusting nut just slid right out. The threads inside the housing are completely gone...

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I assume that I will need a complete unit?

I'm guessing that I'm a victim of water freezing inside the lower unit. I never thought to take the transom saver off and lower the motor like I usually do in the winter...

Are you sure the housing threads are gone? You definitely froze it and the webbing stretched outward on the gearcase nut when it did. If the threads on the housing are still there , you can get a new hub seal housing.

Unusual because it looks like it froze in the oil case - if thats so you were about to crater regardless. (more water than oil.)

It fell out because it stretched/cracked, as long as ya got to go that far into it ,seals/ new cups and cones too- they aren't hard to rebuild, almost like a wheel bearing hub replacement - and look on e-bay lots of good deals on parts for rebuild.

After you replace, you screw it in W/O any lube (dry) until the prop shaft will only turn about a 1/2 turn on a spin, lock down the set screw and fill er up with hypoid gear oil - use your manf. recommended oil.
Those who would give up constitutional freedoms to elected officials in exchange for a false sense of security, deserve neither freedom or security.

I may have a case have to look around. Merc V6 what year ? Call Frankies in Grove and he will have probaly all the parts you are looking for used. If ya need me to pull the carrier bearing out for ya just let me know. You will also need my shift shaft tool

i had this happen to my 81 merc at one time but it pulled all the threads and pushed the whole thing out. i took it up to kyle at copan marine he fixed me right up. might just take it in and see what a shop thinks.

Yeah, beans. I picked up the new case yesterday, which is really a complete lower unit partially disassembled. The bearing cage has been removed and it is not what I pictured. I thought it would just have a race on the back side of it, but it's an assembly back to the gear, as I'm sure you know.

My plan was to use all the gearing out of my unit. The gears in the unit that I got aren't bad, but the clutching teeth are starting to get a bit rounded. I haven't pulled mine apart yet, but I'm hoping mine are in better shape. I know I haven't had any problems shifting in and out of gear.

I can usually figure stuff like this out, but the lack of the proper tools could make this one tougher than I hoped. I may be calling you for some help before it's all said and done...